Device for securing drum or similar heads



(No Model.) 7

I. II. SAIP. DEVICE FOR SECURING DRUM 0R SIMILAR HEADS.

No. 544,125. Patented Aug. 6,1895.

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INVENTOI? A TTOHNE Y5.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC HUDSON SAFP, OF BUOYRUS, OHIO.

DEVICE FOR SECURING DRUM OR SIMILAR HEADS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 544,125, dated August 6, 1895.

' Application filed November 20. 1894; semi No. 529,395. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC HUDSON SAPP, of Bucyrus, in the county of Crawford and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Device for Securing Drum or Similar Heads, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to a device for tightening drumheads, the heads of banjos, kettle-drums, and instruments of a similar character; and the object of the invention is to provide a means whereby the tightening may be effected in an expeditious and convenient manner, and whereby, further, the instrument will not be bound by the numerous tighten: ing devices usually employed, it being essential that only one tightening apparatus should be used.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar figures and letters of refereuce indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a drum, illustrating the application of the tightening device to the head thereof. Fig. 2 is a section through the drum, taken practically on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 3 is a section taken at right angles to the section show-n in Fig. 2, essentially on the line 3 8 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of a band employed in connection with the tightening device. Fig. 5 is a partial side elevation of a drum in which a narrow head-band isemployed at each head thereof. Fig. 6 is a section through the drum, illustrating a slight modification in the apparatus for tightening the heads of the drum; and Fig. 7 is a further modification of the said tightening device.

In carrying out the invention the body A of the drum is provided with an exterior circumferential groove 10 near each edge, the groove being preferably somewhat V-shaped in cross-section. The heads 11 of the drum are made of the usual material and are of sufficient size to extend downward over the exterior of the body, and likewise over the said grooves 10. Preferably the grooves 10 are covered by a band 12, and each of said bands is provided with a slot 13 at a predetermined point in its length.

The heads are adapted to be bound to the body through the medium of a tightening de vice. Each head is provided with a separate tightening device, both being of the same construction, and these tightening devices are best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Each tightening device consists of two blocks lat and 15, which are fitted to receive a tightening-screw 16, whereby when the screw is manipulated the several blocks may be drawn toward one another or carried away from each other, as occasion may demand.

In the inner end of each of the blocks 1% and 15 an opening is provided to receive the ends of a binding or tying cord 17, or the equivalent of a cord. The cord is shaped as a ring or band, and the ends of the cord are made to pass one another and are secured in the aforesaid blocks 14 and 15. The heads having been carried over the bod y'and made to extend across the recesses or depressions therein, (indicated at 10,) the cords 17 are carried over the portions of the head which are pendent over the body, as shown in Fig. 1, and the blocks 14 and 15 are carried through the openings 13 in the bands 12, the adjusting-screw 16 being at the exterior of the said bands. Therefore the bands will conceal and cover the cords 17 and likewise that portion of the heads which is carried over the body; and it is evident that by manipulating the adjusting-screw 16 in tightening up the heads the blocks 1i and 15 will be simultaneously moved away from each other, and consequently tension will beexerted on the said cord 17 and the pendent or projecting portions of the heads will be drawn down into the recesses 10 and be firmly bound to the body of the drum or other instrument to which the heads may be applied, while at the same time the bands 12' will conceal and protect the fastening devices thus employed.

I desire it to be distinctly understood that the adjusting-screw 13 may be concealed and protected-for example, by a hood or housing formed over the adj usting-screw and attached to the band through which the screw extends.

Under a construction of this description it is evident that by manipulating a single adjusting device connected with each head the head may be tightened up in a convenient and effective manner without the necessity of manipulating a number of tightening devices. If in practice it is found desirable the band 12, when employed, may be provided with a number of apertures 13, in order that the said bands shall not in the slightest degree interfere with the resonant qualities of the heads, since the said apertures will admit of the sound-waves having free exit.

When the heads are attached to the body, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, they are attached at their margins through the medium of screws, pins, or rivets 18, as is particularly illustrated in Fig. 3; and before these tightening devices are applied to the body the heads will be stretched as much as possible, the tension devicenamely, the cord 17 and the adjusting-screw 1G-being auxiliary to whatever device or devices may be used in primarily attaching the head or heads to the in strument.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated aslight moditication, in which the screws, bolts, or rivets 18 are dispensed with and peripheral channels or grooves 19 are formed in the body, in which the marginal portions of the heads are introduced, and the said heads are fastened primarily to the body through the medium of wires 20, or theirequivalents, which are placed under tension in any suitable or approved manner, the adjusting or tension device namely, the cord 17 and the screw 13being used in the same manner as heretofore de scribed with reference to Fig. 1. In the said Fig. 6 I have illustrated, furthermore, the body at its front and back being turned upon itself to form a hollow cylindrical flange or bearingsurface 21, in order that the resonant qualities of the instrument may be augmented.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated the bands 12 as being made very narrow. In fact, the said bands do not cover the tightening or tension cord 17, it being visible, and these narrow bands are held in place by two or more bars 22, which are attached to both the front and back or the top and bottom bands 12 and are passed through eyes or guides 23, which are secured to the body of the instrument. If in practice it is found desirable, the connectingbars 22 may be separated or made in sections and connected by tensional devices.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated a further modification. In this modification the hollow bearing-surfaces 21 for the head are retained, but the grooves 19 are omitted,and the body consists of a central section 24, of predetermined diameter, from which the metal is carried upward and outward at an inclination, forming a somewhatV or U channel between the margins against which the heads 11 are to have a bearing. Under this construction a hoop 25 or its equivalent is located over the section 24; of the body, at the exterior thereof, and the inner margins of the heads are secured by means of tacks 26, or the equivalents thereof,

to the outer surface of this hoop, while the tension devicesnamely, the cords 17-arc made to have bearing upon the exterior surfaces of the heads between the hoop and the margins against which the heads have a bearing. Therefore the spaces between the hoop 25 and the margin 21 of the body are clearly the equivalents of the recesses 10 produced in the body when constructed in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a drum or like instrument, the combination, with the body thereof, and the head connected at its edges thereto, of a tension band passed around the head inside its point of attachment to the body, anda tension device connected with the said band, whereby the same may be made to bind more or less firmly against the head, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a drum or equivalent musical instrument, the combination, with the body and a head stretched across one end of the body and extending along the outer face of the same, the body beingprovided with a depression at that point covered by the extending portion of the head, of a band held in engagement with the extension of the head, the ends of the band being connected with an adjusting screw, whereby the head may be pressed more or less firmly against the body, as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a drum or equivalent musical instrument, the combination,witl1 the body portion thereof, the said body being provided with an exterior groove and a head stretched across one end of the body, a portion of the head extending over the aforesaid groove, of a cord or band engaging with the outer face of the extension portion of the head, an adjusting screw, blocks carried by said screw, and means,substantial1y as described, for attaching the ends of the band or cord to the said blocks, the ends of the band being made to cross one another, as and for the purpose set forth.

1. In a drum, or like musical instrument, the combination, with the body, the said body being provided with an exterior annular groove or channel substantially angular in cross section, of a head stretched across one end of the body, the said head being made to extend over the groove in the body, a tension cord engaging with the outer surface of the extended portion of the head, a band covering the cord and provided with an opening, blocks held to slide in the opening of the band, the ends of the cords being secured to said blocks, and an adjusting screw whereby the blocks may be simultaneously moved to or from one another, as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a drum orlike musical instrument, the combination, with the body portion there of, the said body being provided with an annular groove upon its outer face adjacent to one of its ends, of a head stretched across an end of the body, a portion of the head being carried over the aforesaid groove, a tension cord engaging with the extended portion of the head and serving to draw the said head into contact with said groove, a cover band likewise engaging with the said head, blocks to which the ends of the tension cord are secured, said ends being made to cross one another, and an adjusting screw controlling the movement of the said blocks, as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a drum or thelike, the combination of a body having a groove formed in its outer side, a head having its edges connected to the body beyond said groove, whereby said groove is covered by the head, and means for forcing the head into the said groove in the body, substantially as set forth.

7. In a drum or the like, the combination of a body having a recess formed in its outer side, a head having its edge portions extending along the outer side of the body beyond said recess and secured at their margins to the said body, whereby a cylindrical form is given to the edge portion of the head, and means for changing'the diameter of the said cylindrical portion of the head, substantially as set forth.

8. In a drum or the like the combination of a circular body, a head stretched across said body and having its edge portions bent over at the edges of the body and secured to the sides of the body said body and head having a recess formed between them, a circular band adapted to bear on the said head at said recess and means for changing the diameter of the band, substantially as set forth.

ISAAC HUDSON SAPP. Witnesses:

ISAAC GAHILL,

D. C. CAHILL. 

